ST. PAUL, Minn., Oct. 24 (UPI) -- Early goals by Nino Niederreiter and Zach Parise Thursday sent Minnesota to a 3-1 win over Carolina during which both starting goaltenders were injured.
The Hurricanes announced during the game that Cam Ward, who suffered what was described as a significant lower body injury, would be out for three to four weeks. He was hurt early in the contest after stopping the only five shots he saw and was replaced by Justin Peters.
Minnesota's Josh Harding made 20 saves through two periods, but did not come out for the third after suffering an undisclosed injury. Niklas Backstrom protected the lead by making seven saves.
The goals by Niederreiter and Parise came in the opening period and Carolina cut its deficit in half on Alexander Semin's second-period score.
It remained a one-goal game until Dany Heatley scored into an empty net with 26 seconds to play.
